So I've been having a problem with my Status. It's a 1999, 2.5L, A/T. When I start the car after it's been running a while, I hear one very audible "KNOCK" and then it runs normally. When driving, I've been noticing my tires seem to slip a lot, leaving me chirping/spinning my tires when I try to take off quickly. It's really bad when the road is wet. The final thing I've been noticing is when I first start the car in the morning, I put it into reverse to back out of my parking stall, and the cars seems noisy. Almost like a growl. The car has been good to me and I'd like to keep it for a while longer, since I don't have money to buy a new one. It's got 4 new tires and the only thing I've ever needed to change is the transmission speed output sensor. Also, when I changed the plugs, noticed the plugs had oil on the threads. Anybody have any ideas?

 

The growl from the transmission happens to my '00 2.5v6 also. It goes away quickly as the transmission fluid gets all back into the torque converter. The colder it is, the worse the noise.

As far as the oil on the threads, it's rather likely that your valve cover gaskets are worn out. Just replaced mine. The rubber was rock solid and cracking. The whole gasket set was around $40 and took a few hours to complete, since I had a hard time taking the intake manifold off to get to the rear valve cover.

http://www.autozone.com/R,2474264/ve...ductDetail.htm

Tires slipping? I can assume the transmission isn't catching at first (almost like revving up the engine, and popping it into gear?). Check your transmission fluids, and make sure you use the CORRECT fluid to top it off. ATF+4 is required, otherwise may cause issues.
Look for a pinkish/red stain to find out if you are having a major leak, or if it's just seeping out somewhere. My car leaks a little (1/2 bottle /month worth) from the transmission cooler line that runs towards the radiator.